SOMAPI Research BriefsThese research briefs focus on topics covered in the sexual offending and sex offender management literature review. Each brief is designed to get key findings from the literature review into the hands of policymakers and practitioners. Overall, the briefs are intended to provide trustworthy, up-to-date information that can be used to identify what works to combat sexual offending and prevent sexual victimization.

SOMAPI Research BriefsThese research briefs focus on topics covered in the sexual offending and sex offender management literature review. Each brief is designed to get key findings from the literature review into the hands of policymakers and practitioners. Overall, the briefs are intended to provide trustworthy, up-to-date information that can be used to identify what works to combat sexual offending and prevent sexual victimization.

The three fact sheets below are developed for use by CACs to educate themselves, their partners, caregivers, and communities on addressing youth and children with PSBs. You can click on the pictures to view their content.

This fact sheet is intended for CAC leaders and staff, with guidance on building the response to problematic sexual behaviors, the key role CACs play in addressing this issue, and building community support for the CAC response.

This fact sheet is an overview of problematic sexual behaviors in youth and children, and includes basic information on the continuum of childhood sexual behaviors, criteria for problematic sexual behaviors, the role of language and science in informing the response, and next steps for communities. It is appropriate for community partners, multidisciplinary team members, and general education on the issue for CAC staff and community members.

This fact sheet is intended for caregivers of children and youth with problematic sexual behaviors, with guidance on the how caregivers can help their children and answers to pressing questions caregivers and family members may have.

Website Resources

Web Resources

Disclaimer: Links to external websites are provided for convenience of reference only and are not intended as an endorsement by the NCSBY of the organization or individual operating the host web site or a warranty of any type regarding the host web site or the information on that site.

Child Advocacy Centers

A Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a child-focused facility that brings together members of law enforcement, child protection services, doctors, mental health workers, and other professionals involved in a child’s case. Through teamwork and collaboration, CACs help these professionals create an effective and efficient approach that addresses the child’s needs first.

The California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) provides child welfare professionals with easy access to vital information about selected child welfare related programs. The primary task of the CEBC is to inform the child welfare community about the research evidence for programs being used or marketed in California.* The CEBC also lists programs that may be less well-known in California, but were recommended by the Topic Expert for that Topic Area.

A nonprofit organization committed to building strong families by serving to bridge the cultural-generational gap between parents and teenagers. At a time when an already confusing youth culture is changing quickly, CPYU helps parents, youth workers, educators, and others understand teenagers and their culture so that they will be better equipped to help children and teens navigate the challenging world of adolescence.

FLASH is a sexual health curriculum that is targeted for children between the ages of 5 – 12 years and addresses physical development, promotion of sexual health, prevention of disease, interpersonal relationships, body image and gender roles. Unique characteristics of the program include provision of resources for youth receiving special education services, emphasis on healthy sexuality across the life span, cultural sensitivity, and dual focus on abstinence as well as prevention of pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Internet and Technology Safety

Website devoted to parents and professionals to protect young kids from pornography, and promote healing from sexual exploitation. The website includes practical strategies on ways to address pornography through prevention and response.

The internet is a great way to connect with your friends and learn new things. It's also important to stay safe and make sure you don't share things that could put you in danger. If you're worried about how much of your life is online you can take steps to be safer. Whatever your worry, ChildLine can help.

Journal Club Webinars

Juvenile Justice and Deliquency

OJJDP, a component of the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, accomplishes its mission by supporting states, local communities, and tribal jurisdictions in their efforts to develop and implement effective programs for juveniles. The Office strives to strengthen the juvenile justice system's efforts to protect public safety, hold offenders accountable, and provide services that address the needs of youth and their families.

TTA360 is a centralized training and technical assitance (TTA) request system that allows you to submit a request to any of the TTA providers available through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP).

ATSA was founded to foster research, facilitate information exchange, further professional education and provide for the advancement of professional standards and practices in the field of sex offender evaluation and treatment.

NEARI Press has been serving professionals nationwide for over 20 years as a primary source of cutting-edge information and resources about sexual violence/abuse prevention, information and resources for professionals largely working with youth who display sexual behavior problems and their families, and resources for professionals working with victims/survivors.

With a growing multi-disciplinary membership comprised of practitioners, managers and policy makers from the public, private and voluntary sectors, NOTA is able to bring a wide variety of perspectives to intervention with sexual aggressors.

Sexual Offender: Adults

The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers is an international, multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to preventing sexual abuse. Through research, education, and shared learning ATSA promotes evidence based practice, public policy and community strategies that lead to the effective assessment, treatment and management of individuals who have sexually abused or are at risk to abuse.

The responsibilities of the SMART Office include providing jurisdictions with guidance regarding the implementation of the Adam Walsh Act, and providing technical assistance to the states, territories, Indian tribes, local governments, and to public and private organizations.

Previously the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect, this website provides resources, information, and links on topics related to abuse/neglect education, prevention, assessment, and intervention, including state-specific information.

The mission of the National Center for Victims of Crime is to forge a national commitment to help victims of crime rebuild their lives. We are dedicated to serving individuals, families, and communities harmed by crime.

Steele, W. (2003). A trauma is like no other experience. Gross Pointe Woods, MI: The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. Steele, W. (1999). What parents need to know: Help for parents of grieving and traumatized children. Gross Pointe Woods, MI: The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children.

Steele, W. (1999). You are not alone. Gross Pointe Woods, MI: The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children.

Bibliography

Assessment

American Educational Research Association (AERA), American Psychological Association (APA), National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME), (1999). The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Curwen, T., & Costin, D. (2007). Toward assessing risk for repeated concerning sexual behavior by children with sexual behavior problems: What we know and what we can do with this knowledge. In D. S Prescott (Ed.), Knowledge & practice: Challenges in the treatment and supervision of sexual abusers (pp. 310-344). Oklahoma City, OK: Woods and Barnes.

Letourneau, E. J. (2002). A comparison of objective measures of sexual arousal and interest: Visual reaction time and penile plethysmography. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 14, 207–223. doi:10.1177/107906320201400302

American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, National Council on Measurement in Education, (1999). The standards for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.

Lipsey, M. W. (1995). What do we learn from 400 research studies on the effectiveness of treatment with juvenile delinquents? In J. McGuire (Ed.). What works? Reducing reoffending, (pp. 63-78). New York, NY: John Wiley.

Lipsey, M. W. (1999). Can intervention rehabilitate serious delinquents? The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 564, 142-166.

How do Youth Develop Problematic Sexual Behaviors?

Burton, D. L. (2003). The relationship between the sexual victimization of and the subsequent sexual abuse by male adolescents. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 20, 277-296. doi:10.1023/A:1024556909087

Burton, D. (2008). An exploratory evaluation of the contribution of personality and childhood sexual victimization to the development of sexually abusive behavior. Sexual Abuse: Journal of Research & Treatment, 20(1), 102-115. doi:10.1177/1079063208315352

Letourneau, E. J., & Caldwell, M. F. (2013). Expensive, harmful policies that don’t work or how juvenile sexual offending is addressed in the U.S. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, 8, 25-31.

Righthand, Orooji, & Hecker, (2009, October). Are sex offending youths in the justice system more “dangerous” than youths diverted from juvenile justice? Paper presented at the 28th Annual Meeting of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, Dallas, Texas.

An affiliate of OUHSC, funded by the Department of Justice, ojjdp federal grant number 01-JR-BX-K002
This Web site is funded through grants 2010-WP-PBX-K062 and 2013-MU-MU-K102 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this Web site (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). Private Resources Login